Seborrheic dermatitis – white or yellow flaky, greasy patches in places with more oil-producing glands, caused by a combination of genetics, hormones and microorganisms on the skin.

Stasis dermatitis – happens when poor circulation to the legs causes the veins to swell and leak fluid, causing swelling and skin redness and itch, mostly in older populations.

Hand eczema – is not considered an independent type of eczema, but a location of other types of eczema, most frequently atopic or contact dermatitis, and is caused by a combination of genes, irritants and/or allergens.

Lichen simplex chronicus – or neurodermatitis is not considered an independent type of eczema, but rather a symptom of other types of eczema, and results in thick, scaly patches on the skin, often caused by too much scratching and rubbing.

People with one type of eczema may also go on to develop other types depending on genetics and exposure to environmental triggers.

Eczema and gender

Eczema mortality

Hospitalization due to AD flares and associated infections and/or viruses is associated with an 8-year reduction in lifespan.[17]

Eczema impact on quality of life

Impact on adults

Nearly half of people with atopic dermatitis report they are “often” or “always” frustrated by their disease.[18]

More than one-third of people with AD say they “often” or “always” feel angry or embarrassed by their appearance due to the condition.[19]

Two-thirds of people with eczema say that their disease interferes with their job and household chores.[20]

Sixty-six percent of adults say AD restricts what they can eat and drink.[21]

One-third report that they spend one to three hours per day treating their disease.[22]

Nearly 40% of patients with eczema reported that they turned down a job or an educational opportunity due to their disease.[23]

Impact on children and adolescents

Children with eczema often feel isolated from their peers due to disease-related lifestyle restrictions.[24]

One in five children with AD face bullying because of their disease.[25]

Nearly 30% of children experience disrupted sleep five or more nights week due to symptoms of eczema, which affects mood and well-being.[26]

Impact on families

Parents and caregivers of children with AD also experience disrupted sleep, leading to exhaustion, daytime sleepiness and affected performance at work.[27]

Parents and caregivers also report feeling embarrassed about their child’s appearance as well as frustration, helplessness, sadness and guilt due to their child’s condition.[28]

Childhood AD has a significant impact on the mental health of parents and caregivers.[29]

Nearly a third of spouses and partners of adults with AD, said that disease interfered with their sex life.[30]

Economic impact of eczema in the United States

The annual economic burden of eczema is conservatively estimated at $5.3 billion; this figure includes direct costs such as medical visits and medications, and indirect costs including lost productivity of patients and caregivers and impacts on QoL.[31]

Eczema has the highest effect on disability-associated life years for patients with skin diseases worldwide.[32]

In 2016, the cost to the health system to treat atopic dermatitis patients was $314 million.[33]

Lowered QoL for patients with eczema is connected to decreased productivity.[34]

Patients and caregivers seeking treatment for their disease lost $128 million in wages in 2016.[35]

Eczema comorbidities

In the U.S., 50% of children with severe AD develop asthma and 75% develop allergic rhinitis.[36]

Children and adolescents with eczema have higher rates of depression, anxiety and conduct disorder.[37],[38]

[17] Egeberg A, Skov L, Andersen Y et al. Ten-year mortality is increased after hospitalization for atopic dermatitis compared with the general population, but reduced compared with psoriasis. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2017;76(1):98-105. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2016.06.021.

[29] Warschburger P, Buchholz HT, Petermann F. Psychological adjustment in parents of young children with atopic dermatitis: which factors predict parental quality of life? The British journal of dermatology. Feb 2004;150(2):304-311.

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